Hexen, Satan, Inquisition

The scholarly book "Witches, Satan, Inquisition" by Stephan Quensel offers an in-depth analysis of the witch problem in early modern Europe, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. It illuminates the clerical-legal construction of witch persecution and its connection to the societal and political upheavals of that time. In an era shaped by religious beliefs, the development of a new urban order policy that distanced itself from the traditions of the people becomes apparent. The author traces the history of witch persecutions from their beginnings in the 14th century through various forms of rural witchcraft to the massive inquisitions that continued into the 18th century. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the complex interrelations between religion, law, and society in history.